What started as a medical call for a woman at her Michigan Avenue home became a fire call when firefighters spotted smoke from the attic, closing traffic on the block jammed with fire trucks and police cars Monday morning.

Fire Chief Ray Senecal said firefighters went to 322 Michigan Ave. around 9 a.m. and found the woman bleeding from the torso from what appeared to be multiple stab wounds she received in her second-floor apartment.

As firefighters treated her outside the two-story building, they noticed smoke billowing from the attic. Neighbors down the street, observing the fire, said they had called 911 when they saw the smoke.

The injured woman, whose name was not released, was taken to Ellis Hospital, and firefighters kept the blaze from spreading, Senecal said. The rest of the building and those nearby were not damaged.

Lt. Mark McCracken said police investigators believe the person who stabbed the woman is also responsible for the fire, which began before firefighters arrived.

A man whom police did not name was taken into custody for questioning. No charges had been filed by 3:30 p.m.

Baron Etwaroo, the landlord, said a mother, daughter and her boyfriend lived in the apartment.

"It's unbelievable," Etwaroo said. "It's like a shock."

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The Red Cross also provided lodging for a man who lived on the first-floor apartment.